Optical Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 8, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 8, 2026.
This fast-growing company is leveraging AI and other advanced technologies to help protect critical national infrastructure (both civilian and military) from rapidly evolving threats such as drone incursions. To help bring their projects to fruition, they are seeking an experienced Optical Engineer to join their multidisciplinary development team.
In this hands-on engineering role, you will design systems incorporating lasers, lenses, and cameras. You will co-operate closely with colleagues from disciplines such as electronics, software, and AI, taking products from initial concepts through verification and trouble-shooting to production-readiness. To thrive in this role, you will need to combine excellent theoretical knowledge with an enthusiasm and aptitude for practical engineering.
This is a great opportunity to help bring high technology products to market that will help deter threats and keep the public safe. Joining a fast growing company will provide scope for career growth and expanding your portfolio of skills.
You will need:
- An excellent academic background with a 1st class degree in Physics, Electronics, or similar subject and a strong theoretical understanding of optics and optical engineering
- Practical hands-on optical engineering experience including lasers (and laser safety!), lenses, and beam paths. You will be taking designs beyond the optical bench stage, integrating optical components with supporting electromechanical systems
- Self motivation and the the ability to take the initiative in driving your work forward
- Ideally, some exposure to using machine learning techniques for machine vision
- Full, existing UK work permission, a driving licence, and the ability to obtain a UK security clearance
The role is based south of Cambridge in the near term, later moving to offices in central Cambridge. A highly competitive package is on offer to the successful candidate.
Keywords: Optics, lasers, cameras, machine vision, national security, Cambridge
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